Just the Two of Us

Today Jack and I got to spend some time together, just the two of us. I think this may be the first time we’ve gotten to do this since Emmett was born. It was so special. Tom’s parents came and stayed with Emmett while Jack and I went to the Tiny Tot Symphony at Benaroya Hall. Jack has been going to these concerts with the Roddas for a while now, but this was the first time that I got to go. We had so much fun together.

We got there early and our first treat was a hot cocoa.  We sipped (well he gulped) our drinks at a table and watched out the big windows at the people waiting to catch the bus.

Could this picture be an ad for Starbucks, or what?!

After drinks we went into the lobby where they had instruments, puzzles, coloring, and books for the children to play with. Jack got to play the xylophone, the violin, and the cello.

During the concert we got to sing, dance, and learn about the trumpet, trombone, and tuba. Jack loves music and it gave me such joy to watch him.

After the concert we met Tom for a quick lunch downtown, just the three of us.  Our outing together was so special and so meaningful. I can’t wait to have more dates with my little guy!

Bye Bye Binky

  As anyone who knows Jack can tell you, his binky has been staple in his life since nearly day one. We’ve been talking more and more lately with Jack about giving up his binky since he is getting close to age 3. Jack has been hot and cold on the idea—one minute he seems ready to give his binkies to Santa (so that Santa can give them to babies who really need them) and the next minute he is frantic that he might be without one.

  Last week I just decided to go for it. We had been to TJ Maxx and Jack had found a boat and lighthouse that he wanted for his Thomas train set. I told him that if he gave his binkies to Santa, he could earn that toy. He agreed. We went home, wrote a letter to Santa, packaged up the binkies, and took them to the mailbox.  Then we made a chart to put on the refrigerator. Throughout that day, and the ones to follow, we put stickers on the chart until finally Jack earned his toy.  He’s done remarkably well, and although there are still times during the day when he screams, “Oh, but what can I suck on?” he has hardly missed the thing. He is still sleeping with a binky, but I figure that won’t be hard to get rid of eventually.

I’m so proud of my big boy and his strength in kicking the habit. As someone who sucked her thumb until she was WAY too old (like 4th grade), I know how hard it is to stop.  My little man amazes me again.

Trick or Treat

The kiddos got a practice round of trick-or-treating on Friday night when we went to a nearby neighborhood whose businesses were doing trick-or-treating. Jack caught on right away and had fun loading up his pail with treats.

 

Pirate Jack is ready to trick-or-treat!

 

Dragon Emmett is content to watch and even gets a kiss from his big brother.

Taking a break to have a piece of candy.

On Sunday night we invited our friends, the Lund family, over to have a spaghetti dinner with us and go trick-or-treating. Once fed, the kids got their costumes on and we hit the neighborhood.

  

Our little dragon is ready to do some trick-or-treating.

 

The pirate pauses for a moment to have his picture taken.

We are even able to snap a decent picture of the gang.

(From left: Emma, Mia, Emmett, and Jack.)

Jack is ready to go.

And they’re off!

  What a fun evening spent with friends!